Introduction
Nikki Bella — born Stephanie Nicole Garcia-Colace — needs little introduction for wrestling fans. Rising to fame as one half of the iconic The Bella Twins, she spent years under the spotlight as a top performer in WWE.
But Nikki’s journey extends beyond the ring — involving ventures (from lifestyle brands to podcasts), high-profile relationships, and a recent divorce that stirred widespread public and media interest. This article dives deep into her life: who she married, why talk of divorce emerged, even the weird — but real — fascination with her “feet” (yes, celebrity foot-interest is a real thing!), and the collectible action-figure culture around her.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or just curious about celebrity culture and its twists — this is your comprehensive guide to Nikki Bella circa 2025.
From WWE Stardom to Pop Culture Icon
Nikki Bella’s legacy began in the wrestling ring. As part of The Bella Twins, she became one of the most recognizable women in WWE.
Over time, she diversified — launching lifestyle and intimate-wear lines like Birdiebee, dipping into beauty with Nicole + Brizee, creating a podcast with her twin sister Brie, and venturing into reality-TV territory.
Her presence wasn’t confined to wrestling: she became a public persona, an entrepreneur, a media figure — widely photographed, widely discussed. Naturally, that also put aspects of her personal life under the lens.
Who Was Nikki Bella Married To? The Story of Nikki & Artem
How They Met
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Nikki and Artem first crossed paths in 2017 on season 25 of Dancing with the Stars — she was a celebrity contestant, he the professional dancer.
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Despite her earlier engagement to wrestling star John Cena (which ended in 2018), Nikki and Artem reconnected after the breakup. Their relationship was publicly confirmed in early 2019.
The Romance, Wedding & Family
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The couple got engaged in late 2019.
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On July 31, 2020, they welcomed their son, Matteo Artemovich Chigvintsev.
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On August 26, 2022, Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev officially tied the knot in Paris.
For a while, the fairy-tale seemed real — two public personalities, a child, and what appeared to be a stable marriage.
Divorce, Scandal & Fallout
What Went Wrong
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On August 29, 2024, Artem was arrested in Napa Valley on suspicion of felony domestic violence — specifically “corporal injury to a spouse.”
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Barely two weeks later, on September 11, 2024, Nikki filed for divorce. The split shocked many fans.
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The incident prompted restraining orders filed by both parties against one another.
Final Settlement
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The divorce was finalized in November 2024 via private mediation.
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As part of the financial settlement: a lump sum (reported as around US$ 200,000), along with an agreement for child support payments.
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Notably, both parties dropped the restraining orders after the settlement, and the divorce closed what had become a very public and messy chapter.
Aftermath and Privacy Reset
In the weeks following the divorce, Nikki reportedly wiped her Instagram clean — removing photos related to her marriage and publicly distancing herself from the drama.
She’s since attempted a low-profile re-emergence — prioritizing motherhood, her bundles of business ventures, and a return to life under her own terms.
Action Figures & The “Nikki Bella Merchandise” Phenomenon
The fame of WWE — especially stars like Nikki — often extends beyond the ring into memorabilia and collectibles. Over the years, many wrestling fans and collectors have shown interest in action figures, posters, and merchandise featuring Nikki Bella.
These items cement a wrestler’s legacy and allow fans to hold a piece of pop-culture history in their hands — a tangible link to the energy, glamour, and drama of the ring. For someone as commercially successful as Nikki, such collectible status underlines her reach beyond wrestling: into mainstream celebrity, fandom, and merchandise culture.
The Curious Public Fascination: “Feet,” Images & Celebrity
In celebrity culture, often oddities become talking points — one of them being foot fascination. Some fans fetishize or are simply curious about a celebrity’s feet; others discuss fashion choices like shoes, pedicures, tattoos, and how these reflect personality. For pop icons like Nikki Bella — whose body, style, and public image have always drawn attention — it’s unsurprising that some media/cultured discourse touches even trivial aspects like appearance and feet.
Whether this fascination is flattering or intrusive depends on one’s perspective. For fans, it’s an extension of admiration; for the celebrity, it can border on invasion of privacy. In the digital age, almost anything about a public figure can be amplified — and sometimes taken out of proportion.
What This Means: Fame, Privacy, and Reinvention
Nikki Bella’s journey reflects a broader truth about celebrity life:
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Fame today is multi-dimensional: wrestling, business, social media, reality TV, collectibles.
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Personal relationships under the spotlight come with scrutiny, public opinion, and pressures.
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Divorce and separation — once private — become public events when the personalities involved are high-profile.
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Reinvention and privacy resets are often part of the comeback: deleting social-media traces, focusing on self and family.
Nikki seems to be navigating this — trying to balance her public image, her personal healing, and her responsibilities as a mother and entrepreneur.
FAQs
Q: When did Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev get married?
A: They married on August 26, 2022, in Paris.
Q: Do Nikki Bella and Artem share children?
A: Yes — they have a son named Matteo, born on July 31, 2020.
Q: Why did Nikki Bella file for divorce?
A: The divorce filing came shortly after Artem’s arrest on suspicion of domestic violence (corporal injury to spouse) on August 29, 2024.
Q: Was there a financial settlement in the divorce?
A: Yes — reports indicate a lump-sum settlement (around US$ 200,000) plus agreed child support payments.
Q: Did Nikki Bella remove social-media photos after the divorce?
A: Yes — shortly after the settlement, she reportedly wiped most photos from her Instagram, signaling a fresh start.
Conclusion
Nikki Bella’s life is emblematic of the complex interplay between fame, identity, and personal growth. From wrestling stardom to brand ventures, from romantic highs to painful lows — her journey tells a story of reinvention, resilience and survival under a spotlight that never truly dims.
Her divorce from Artem Chigvintsev may have closed a chapter — but her story continues: as a businesswoman, a mother, a public figure navigating life on her own terms.
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